United suffered a 4-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday at Goodison handing them a big blow in the chase for a top-four finish.

"That's the best game we could ask for now because the players are hurt. We've had a meeting after the game and you can see all of the players are definitely disappointed but really, really hurt by that performance. The City game is the perfect one - there's no hiding place on the pitch," he said.

"Our fans will back you whatever the result will be as long as you give that effort against a City side that's been very, very good. We'll focus on Wednesday now and I'm sure we'll get a good response. We've not been out on the pitch running them like in the old days. You don't punish them as in run up to the mountains and back but we believe in them.

"Of course these players know they let themselves down as individuals, a team and me [down] as well [because] I'm in charge and I'm the one that gives them the instructions on how we're going to play. It's my duty to get them performing better than that but I'm sure we'll get a response."